Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Lyme Disease Part 4 Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND I think by now it is clear to see that Lyme disease is more complex than just a virus that causes a rash. Threw out this series on Lyme I have talked about the complications that can …
Lyme Disease part 3 Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND I hope you have been enjoying this conversation on Lyme disease. I want to start today’s blog by talking about something that in my opinion doesn’t get enough attention, chronic Lyme disease. I am also going to …
Lyme Disease part 2
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
In the first part of our conversation on Lyme disease, we focused on the tick behind Lyme disease. We also did a review of all the most common symptoms of Lyme. Today we will delve even deeper into the confusing world of Lyme disease. Let us get into it, shall we?
Let us start with the tests that are done to determine if you have Lyme disease. Lyme disease can be diagnosed by looking at several factors. To start, your doctor will look over your symptoms, the risk of you being exposed to an infected blacklegged tick and the results of certain lab tests. The doctor will also rule out any conditions that can also cause symptoms. (1, 2). Names for Lyme tests include Lyme antibodies detection, Borrelia Burgdorferi antibodies test, and Borrelia DNA detection, IgM/IgG by western blot, CSF, and Borrelia antibodies. The tests for Lyme disease check for antibodies that your immune system makes when your body encounters the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. This is where things can get difficult. When it comes to Lyme disease the faster you get diagnosed the better the outcome. However, if you do the test too soon your body may not have had time to make the antibodies. This means that you will get a “false negative.” What does this mean? Well, it means that the test is negative, but you do in fact have the bacteria. (3) In my experience if you do get a negative test result and you are fairly sure you have been exposed to a tick or you have all the symptoms of Lyme disease it is important to get a second test done a bit later. I have also found that some doctors will treat them based on symptoms and not just test results. But this is based on you and your doctor. This is known as preventative antibiotic use and is normally done if the following conditions are met: the biting tick is known to be a deer tick, and it was attached for 36 hours or more and you live or recently visited an area where Lyme disease is common. (1) Do not forget you can always get a second opinion if you feel uncomfortable with the diagnosis of your first doctor.
False negatives are not the only reason that Lyme disease can be difficult to diagnose. There is also the fact that the symptoms can often resemble other conditions. There is a reason that it is called the “great mimicker.” This misdiagnosis is much more of a problem than you may expect. In fact, Lyme disease is misdiagnosed in up to 30-50% of all cases. There are a number of autoimmune diseases that those with Lyme are commonly incorrectly diagnosed as having. For example, the most common autoimmune conditions that those with Lyme are misdiagnosed as having include Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Polymyalgia rheumatic, and Thyroid disease. Other conditions that those with Lyme disease are incorrectly diagnosed with can include Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia and Chronic fatigue syndrome. (4)
I bet I know what you are thinking. I know it is important to get a correct diagnosis BUT why is this point being so heavily emphasized? I am emphasizing correct and fast diagnosis because any delay in treating Lyme disease can have dangerous complications. If treatment is delayed the infection can spread to the joints, heart, and nervous system. This can lead to headaches, neck stiffness, facial palsy, and arthritis, pain in the tendons, muscles, joints, bones and even nerve pain. It can also affect your heart by causing conditions such as palpitations and irregular heartbeats. There may be episodes of dizziness or shortness of breath. On your skin you may start to develop a rash. Even the brain and spinal cord can become inflamed. (2) The longer the delay the higher the risk of the infection spread to the joints, heat and nervous system.
In part 3 of our conversation on Lyme, we will focus on what is meant by the common phrase Chronic Lyme? And what supplements can you use if you have been recently diagnosed with Lyme? What should you do if you have Chronic Lyme or if you find yourself with complications from Lyme disease?
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Lyme Disease part 1 Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Lyme disease is considered a complex topic for many reasons. To start off it can be difficult to accurately diagnosis the condition. This can be due to the fact Lyme disease can have many symptoms that mimic …
Skin Irritants of Summer part 2 Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND In our last blog we went over the most common invaders of your yard and garden that can trigger a rash and inflamed skin. (1-5) In this blog we will be getting into the details …
Skin Irritants of Summer part 1
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
As the warm weather of summer approaches everyone is running outside to plant their garden. However, your garden can have hidden irritants that can leave you feeling itchy later. These can include plants you may expect, for example poison ivy/oak/sumac. What you may not know is that certain ornamental bulbs can also cause skin irritations! There is much to cover so let us get into it, shall we?
Let us start with the most common plant associated with rash. This is Poison Ivy. Poison Ivy release an oil called urushiol oil. This is what creates the reaction associated with Poison Ivy. Typically Poison Ivy triggers blistering, itchy patches on the skin. (1) This rash is typically red, blistered and very itchy. It normally takes anywhere from 12 hours to several days after being exposed to urushiol oil for the rash to appear. The more often you are exposed to urushiol oil the faster the rash will appear. I want to point out that contrary to gossip the rash from Poison Ivy is not contagious from person to person. However, if someone has urushiol on their clothing, skin, or pet fur (if they are a furry friend lol) and that gets on you then you will develop a rash. This also means that if you have urushiol on one part of your body or clothes and get it on your skin then that spot will also develop a rash. If you go to PoisonIvy.org you can see pictures of Poison Ivy at various stages of growth. Poison Ivy isn’t the only plant to produce urushiol. Poison Oak and Poison Sumac also produce this compound. They create a rash that looks like Poison Ivy since it is triggered by the same compound. (2)
Stinging Nettle is another common trigger for a skin rash. This plant has tiny little hair on both its leaves and stem. These little hairs are what irritates the skin and causes a rash. Typically, the little hairs on Stinging Nettles trigger hives, these present as raised red, itchy bumps. There is also usually a rash that is also red and itchy. Unlike Poison Ivy/Oak/ Sumac where there is a delay before the rash appears with stinging Nettles the rash appears rapidly after contact with the little hairs. (3)
Giant Hogweed has funny name! But no, it is not the name of a fluffy little pet. It is the name of a tall plant that produces sap that can lead to severe skin irritation. If the exposure to the sap is followed by sunlight it can lead to painful skin blisters. For some people, these blisters can scar. Other plants that can trigger a rash include Baby’s Breath, Leadwort and even Ragweed! (3)
This is all interesting, but all of these are well known to trigger a rash. Where it gets interesting is when we investigate your garden. Some of the very plants you are putting in your garden can trigger a rash. For example, tulip bulbs, hyacinth and daffodil bulbs can all trigger a rash. Rose hips can make for tasty tea but the plants that they are grown on can trigger a rash. Borage plants and comfrey can also trigger a rash. Some plants may produce tasty fruits and veggies BUT if you are sensitive these plants may trigger a rash. Common plants that people can be sensitive can include strawberries, tomatoes, hot peppers and even garlic! (4) Ornamental plants and common garden plants that can trigger a rash include chrysanthemums, marigolds, dahlias, poinsettias, buttercups, asparagus ferns, squash leaves, cucumber, citrus plants, and figs. (5)
But what do these rashes all look like? If you are at all squeamish, I would look away now. But if you are brave, you can take a look to see what these types of rashes typically look like.
Let us start with the most common, Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac. (6)
Next is Stinging Nettles. (7)
Giant Hogweed is next. (8)
I won’t include all the common plants that can trigger a rash, but I will highlight Hyacinth and tulips. (9-10)
Hyacinth
Tulip
I wanted to include mosquito bites to help you be able to differentiate between a rash from a plant source and a mosquito bite. While most people experience a mild reaction to mosquito bite others can have a more severe rash because of the bite. I wanted to include a picture of a more severe bite so that it can be used to easily tell the difference between a more severe mosquito bite and the rashes caused by plants. (11)
This blog is full of interesting facts about different plants that can trigger a rash. But what can you do? In our next blog on this topic, we will be talking about how to use nutrients such as Green Tea, Vitamin C and even Turmeric to help reduce your histamine and itchy skin.
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